We are about 1/3 of the way into our 7,500 mile tour of the country. Left New Orleans this morning headed to Montgomery Alabama. I was nervous about posting too soon in case we had problems with the bus and couldn't finish the trip but the bus is running great with almost no problems. I have posted many pictures of the bus and the trip here. There is even a short video of us doing a hot swap, we do that 2 or 3 times a day and it works out well and I really feel it is pretty safe.

The only real problem we have had is the 7000 watt genset trips one of the breakers everytime we turn on the rear air conditioner. We can run both coolers when we are parked but going down the road the rear breaker trips within 10 minutes of turning it on everytime.

One thing I have noticed is this 8v-71 sure runs much better at Sea Level (actually we are 9 feet below sea level as I type this). We are easily crusing at 65 and 70 mph and have gotten in the upper ranges of 6 miles per gallon since we left the mountains in Arizona.

We have until the end of the month to finish our trip and we are right on schedule to arrive back in Reno around the 29th assuming I didn't jinx myself by bragging on how well things are going.

The only real problem we have had is the 7000 watt genset trips one of the breakers everytime we turn on the rear air conditioner. We can run both coolers when we are parked but going down the road the rear breaker trips within 10 minutes of turning it on everytime.

Bob,

I had a similar issue with mine. My generator compartment ran hotter underway and this heat caused the breaker to trip at a lower demand, but never when stopped.

I add a stronger blower and the problem went away. YMMV.

Enjoy your trip...

Cliff

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1975 GMC P8M4905A-1160 North Central Florida

"There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded." Mark Twain

SkipWhat is the weather like there? We plan to spend several days at Yellowstone (I even threw in a set of chains just in case). We went there last year in March and took the snowmobile trip through the park. That was a ton of fun. Your offer sounds great and if all goes well we would love to meet ya for a cup of coffee or something.

CliffI said it wrong, the rear air conditioner only works when we are parked on "Shore Power". It still trips on the generator when stopped, but it could be a hot compartment because I only tried it when we first stopped and it tripped. I will let it cool down tonight when we stop and see if it works then. I don't have a cooling fan in the compartment but it has a screen type door so air can flow through. If it works tonight after it cools down, I think I might put in some kind of fan and see if that helps.

SkipI haven't planned that far, we will probably spend the arriving night in Cody on the east side of the park but thats about as far as I have planned. We don't nail things down very tight until the day of or day before so we have plenty of room to modify. Being that's your part of the country do you have any suggestions?

PaulI almost tried to contact you and see if you still had those two chairs for sale. We broke of one of the arm rest on the co-pilot chair and my wife said that is where I have to ride until I get her a new chair. I acted like I was upset, but she is such a good driver and I don't really have a problem sitting and navagating, checking email and surfing the internet while she is taking us to each new destination.

Sorry I didn't give you a shout, we would have loved to meet you and Becky when we were right there in Abline. I am always in too big of a hurry, I will definately have to work on that once we actually retire.....

Just spoke to the manager of a local campground easily accessable to the Western 70/76 Interchange (PA Turnpike/New Stanton). Used to advertise as "Big Rig friendly", but his bridge it being resurfaced. He stated it will be rated (again) at 90,000 lbs. He's got two parking spots down below it though, and invited me to check the place out. If it's any good, I'll post more about it. In the meantime, if you get out this way and are tired, there is a Wallyworld; Greensburg PA, just 7 miles North of the New Stanton interchange (8 or 9 minutes) that is easy and convenient to get to. Plus it has several places to eat. No Micky D's, that's a mile up the road. Instead there is a Red Robin, Panera Bread, Steak N'Shake, Sonic, a Steak house, Wing place, and something else..ohh yea, one of those Whor....er Starbucks coffeehouses within a very short walking (parking lot) distance. PM me if you want more info.

Doug

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Living life one day at a time, and keeping first things first. MM Philanthropy#225 F&AM Greensburg, PA

I also have a temporary dish, like you show on top of the toad. We have still to use are dish away from home. Do you have any problems locating satellites? How do you tune yours in do you have a meter? If so which meeter should I look for?

Do you have any problems locating satellites? How do you tune yours in do you have a meter? If so which meeter should I look for?ThanksJohn

When using our portable dish antenna, we use a signal meter we purchased at Camping world for about $30.00. This meter connects in line at the antenna (sat receiver has to be connected and on) and gives you signal strength as you move antenna. Once you have a strong signal, meter is removed and coac connected directly to the antenna. Note: this signal meter finds signals, but does not differeniate between Dish and DirecTV. You have to have an idea where to point your antenna before fine tuning it. One way is to look at other antennas that are already set up. BUT, look at the front of the other antennas to be sure they are using the same service as you (Dish or DirecTV). Don't ask how I found this out!! Jack

JohnAs always Jack Conrad hit the nail right on the head. He hit every point you need to pay attention to. We have Direct TV and I get the proper settings from the television (or internet) by enterring the zip code of the location I am at. The antenna usually needs to point around 185 to 190 degrees for most places we have been and there are two more settings that the dish needs to be adjusted for and on my Directv antenna there are all markings and have adjustment screws so I set all three settings and very importand make sure the pole is perfectly straight (I use a level on two sides) then with the meter or by using the television signal (it has an audible and visual scale) I turn and/or tilt the antenna ever so slightly and it generally comes right in.

I have spent hours trying to get it to work in the past with no success but it has been because of trees or buildings blocking part of the signal I think. I have been pretty lucky the last 5 or 6 times though.

FrankWe are spending the night at a small truck stop just south of Richmond Virginia tonight (Thursday) and we are headed to Duncan Family Campground tomorrow but aren't supposed to check in until afternoon sometime. We will be coming through Woodbride sometime between 9 and 10 in the morning. If you know of a handy place to meet and are available around that time, I am sure the wife and I would be ready for a fresh cup of coffee.